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Optical transients, i.e., transients observable via visible light, were certainly observed before other types, and the word transient is likely to refer to an optical transient unless context indicates otherwise. In astrophysics, the phrase optical transient is used in discussions that might include other types. Using the term for an individual transient suggests the transient is (as yet) uncategorized (which becomes more common as automated transient searches are instituted), or that it is so unusual that there is no specific term (e.g., "supernova"). The phrase is also often used when specifically referring to optical counterparts of other types of transients, such as gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), fast radio bursts (FRBs), and GW detections.
The automation of astronomy has led to a very large increase in optical-transient recording (including quick flashes requiring sensitivity to a very specific point within the celestial sphere at a very specific time), and efforts under development such as the Rubin Observatory assure there will be even more in the future. New categories, such as fast blue optical transients (FBOTs), are becoming evident, and examples of events previously only theorized, such as tidal disruption events (TDEs), are being identified.
The phrase optical transient source (or OT source) refers to whatever astronomical object produced some particular optical transient.
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